What is she?

Former NFL quarterback Steve McNair was shot and killed in July 4th in an apparent murder-suicide by a woman he was “dating” who was not his wife. News reporting have been referring to the woman as McNair’s “girlfriend.”

Meanwhile, South Carolina’s governor, Mark Sanford, is receiving much deserved scorn for his extra-marital affair with an Argentine woman whom new agencies refer to as his mistress.

Hmmm… Interesting how you men always seem to see cheating in shades of grey. Where I come from, it is despicable to cheat on your spouse regardless what you call it. Why do you feel that the act cheating is lessened (ie. 'sanitary') if the woman is called a 'girlfriend'? The sanctity of marriage is the most important bond a person can make to another person. This cannot be lessened by phrasing a horrible breach in trust in a 'sanitized' fashion.

I think you misunderstand me. The media's inaccurate use of the word “girlfriend” does not lessen McNair's adultery. The news stories should have reported that he died at the hands of his mistress. That is why I made the comparison between the coverage of McNair and Sanford. Sanford's affair was accurately reported. McNair's was not. That led to an inaccurate portrayal of his relationship to his murderer.

Just today I saw that his former team, the Tennessee Titans, will honor McNair by having the team wearing his number on the back of their helmets this season. My first thought was that they were honoring a man whose adultery led to his death. Hardly someone whose death should be so honored. It should be a tragic embarrassment rather than something that should be commemorated all year.

I think you misunderstand me. The media's inaccurate use of the word “girlfriend” does not lessen McNair's adultery. The news stories should have reported that he died at the hands of his mistress. That is why I made the comparison between the coverage of McNair and Sanford. Sanford's affair was accurately reported. McNair's was not. That led to an inaccurate portrayal of his relationship to his murderer.

Just today I saw that his former team, the Tennessee Titans, will honor McNair by having the team wearing his number on the back of their helmets this season. My first thought was that they were honoring a man whose adultery led to his death. Hardly someone whose death should be so honored. It should be a tragic embarrassment rather than something that should be commemorated all year.